Policy on Women’s Applications and Entry
The Maldives National University (MNU) recognises equitable access to higher education as an important part of its commitment to gender equality and national development.
Our policy position in 2025
During 2025, admissions at MNU were governed by the Student Admissions Policy (Academic Senate, first approved 2000, revised 14 November 2023). It is a non-discriminatory policy, and it applies within the framework of the Maldives Gender Equality Act (Law No. 18/2016). Under it, MNU commits to:
- equal opportunity for every applicant, regardless of background, to gain admission to a course suited to their ability and aspirations (Section B.1)
- assessing all applicants against the same published entry criteria (Section F)
- excluding from admission decisions any factor that is irrelevant to a student’s potential to complete the course (Section B.3)
Strengthening our commitment in 2026
On 27 October 2026, the University Council approved the Policy on Women’s Access, Participation and Advancement (MNU/UC/2026/16). The Student Admissions Policy applies equally to all applicants. The new policy goes further and addresses women’s access directly. It commits MNU to:
- provide equitable opportunities for women to apply for and enter University programmes (Section 5)
- monitor women’s applications, offers, enrolment, retention and completion (Sections 5 and 13)
- identify fields where women are under-represented and support their participation (Section 6)
The new policy works alongside the Student Admissions Policy and the Gender Equality Act.
How we put this into practice in 2025
- Annual monitoring: MNU monitors women’s application and acceptance rates every year (see Tracking Access Measures). In 2025, 47.9% of women applicants were accepted, compared with 24.1% of men.
- Fahi MNU outreach: this programme takes admissions advice to the islands. In 2025, atoll visits reached about 450 students, and One Stop Admission events were held in Malé, Kulhudhuffushi, Gan, Hithadhoo and Thinadhoo.
Policies
